Citizen-Based Monitoring Monitoring Data Issues

1. Citizen-Based MonitoringMonitoring Data Issues Making the Data Count Steve Galarneau Water Quality Biologist Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Citizen-Based Monitoring Conference October 21-22, 2005

2. Monitoring Data Issues • What are the “monitoring data issues”? • Making the data count. • How do we use Citizen-Based Monitoring data? • Terrestrial or Aquatic Monitoring? • Lakes? Streams? Wetlands?

3. Focus on Stream Monitoring • What water quality data do we need? • Why? • Where should we sample? • How do we collect the data? • When? • Who will collect those data?

4. Making the Data CountStream Monitoring Basics • Begin with a Question. • Same for Entry, Intermediate or Advanced - level water quality collectors - citizen monitors or professionals. • What's the water quality question(s) we are trying to answer? • Monitoring Strategy

5. Making the Data Count Monitoring Strategy • What information do we need to answer those questions? • What monitoring activities do I need to do to answer the water quality question(s)? • Study design • Resources - people, equipment, training, lab costs, data management • Data analysis and reporting

6. Making the Data Count Citizen-Based Monitoring • How to incorporate citizen-monitoring into our water quality monitoring programs? • Will these data be helpful? • Will the results be accepted? • How do we use the data?

7. Making the Data Count • Citizen Monitoring Proposal is part of the strategy (Appendix A) • Incorporates all specific aspects of the Strategy (e.g. water resource types, parameters to be monitored)

8. Making the Data CountMonitoring Question • What must be done for data to be used for specific purposes? • Starts with a monitoring question… for example

9. Monitoring Question cont’d. • What are the conditions of the state’s stream resources? • Baseline Wadeable Streams Monitoring • Probability-based sampling design • Electrofishing survey • specific protocol, site selection, sample method and period • Analytical procedures (IBI, HSI, HBI)

10. Where Does Citizen-Based Monitoring Fit In? • Help us collect additional water quality data. For Baseline Wadeable Stream monitoring that may include: • Temperature • Flow • Habitat • Watershed assessment

11. Beyond DNR’s WQ Monitoring • Water Quality Observers • General WQ conditions “What are the water quality conditions of the creek in my backyard? • Provides information on current conditions. • No or limited site selection or frequency • Data Issue – limited predictive ability

12. Citizen-Based Monitoring Data Uses • Local data uses • Network of WQ Observers • “Flags” - indicator of potential water quality problem • spills, kills and other chills • more eyes on, and hands and feet in, our waters • DLR - ‘Doesn’t Look Right’ • spreading manure on snowy fields with forecasted 50oF weather for the next few days

13. Citizen-Based Monitoring Data Uses cont’d • Long-term WQ observation stations • Require specific locations and frequency (similar to weather stations) • Weather Model • climatological data - many individual weather measurements tell a story over time • framework of long-term WQ observations could have similar weight

14. Data IssueWho “crunches” the data? • If you’re collecting data we’ve requested, we should analyze those data. • If you’re collecting your own data, we are not obligated to do the analysis. • Understanding Stream Data • Other data users • counties, watershed groups, school presentations STREAM

15. Challenges • Training • Equipment • Coordination • Data management • Reporting - data presentation • Funding

16. Obstacles • Sustainability • funding - staff, equipment, data management and presentation (reports, websites …) • citizen monitoring coordinator position • Sufficient number of water quality educators • Professional / Technical support

17. So, given the water quality monitoring “data issues”, why do this?

18. Wisconsin’s Waters Win • Collaboration • Awareness • Information needed to protect water resources • Encourage stewardship of watersheds • Inform concerned citizens of potential water quality problems • Wide range of skill and interest • Insure optimal use of citizen-based monitoring data

19. Unacceptable • Building a network but then failing to maintain the energy and focus to integrate citizen-based monitoring data into our water resources management decisions. • Resolution • Working through “Data Issues” will improve the quality and quantity of our Water Quality Monitoring and assure optimal use of the water quality data collected.

20. Citizen-Based Monitoring – Data IssuesThe Flow of Ideas • Conferences such as this where we share and listen to each other’s ideas. • I’ve shared. Now let me listen. • Be sincere; be brief; be seated. Franklin D. Roosevelt

21. Questions? WDNR Citizen-Based Monitoring Team Members Team Leader: Kris Stepenuck DNR & UWEX sponsor: Todd Ambs • members • Tom Aartila • Jeff Bode • Laura Chern • Jim Congdon • Erin Crain • Jennifer Filbert • Steve Galarneau • Cindy Koperski • Mike Miller • Scott Provost • Ken Schreiber • Pat Trochlell • Michelle Washebek • Mike Wenholz